Izakaya

An izakaya (居酒屋) is a type of informal Japanese bar that serves alcoholic drinks and snacks. are casual places for after-work drinking, similar to a pub, a Spanish tapas bar, or an American saloon or tavern.[1]

Etymology

The word entered the English language by 1987.[2] It is a compound word consisting of ("to stay") and ("sake shop"), indicating that originated from sake shops that allowed customers to sit on the premises to drink.[3] are sometimes called ('red lantern') in daily conversation, as such paper lanterns are traditionally found in front of them.

History

Anecdotes and songs that appear in the show that -style establishments existed in Japan at the early 700s.[4] There is a record dating to 733 when rice was collected as a brewing fee tax under the jurisdiction of the government office called. In the, written in 797, there is a record of King Ashihara who got drunk and was murdered in a tavern in 761.[5]

The full-scale development of began around the Edo period (1603–1867). At liquor stores that used to sell alcohol by weight, people began to drink alcohol while standing. Gradually, some began using sake barrels as stools for their customers,[6] and gradually began to offer simple snacks called .[7] Historian Penelope Francks points to the development of the in Japan, especially in Edo and along main roads throughout the country, as one indicator of the growing popularity of sake as a consumer good by the late 1700s.[8]

Dining style

are often likened to taverns or pubs, but there are a number of differences.[11][12][13]

Depending on the, customers either sit on tatami mats and dine from low tables, as in the traditional Japanese style, or sit on chairs and dine from tables. Many offer a choice of both as well as seating by the bar. Some restaurants are also style, literally translated as "drinking while standing".[14]

Usually, customers are given an (wet towel) to clean their hands; the towels are cold in summer and hot in winter. Next, a tiny appetizer, called an in the Tokyo area or in the Osaka-Kobe area, is served.[15] It is local custom and usually charged onto the bill in lieu of an

Typical menu items

offer a wide variety of dishes. Items typically available are:[17][18]

Types

were traditionally down-to-earth places where men drank sake and beer after work.[22] However, modern customers are more likely to include independent women and students. Many today cater to a more diverse clientele by offering cocktails and wines and a sophisticated interior. Chain are often large and offer an extensive selection of food and drink, allowing them to host big, sometimes rowdy, parties. Watami, Shoya, Shirokiya, Tsubohachi, and Murasaki are some of the well known chains in Japan.[23]

are often called ("red lantern"), after the red paper lanterns traditionally displayed outside. Today, the term usually refers to small, non-chain. Some unrelated businesses that are not also sometimes display red lanterns.[24]

Cosplay became popular in the 2000s. The staff wear costumes and wait on customers. In some establishments, shows are performed. Costumes include those for butlers and maids.[25][26]

See also

• Cuisine of Japan
• Kafana
• List of public house topics
• Ramen shop

Bibliography

Further reading

• Izakaya: The Japanese Pub Cookbook (2008) by Mark Robinson, photographs by Masashi Kuma, ISBN 978-4-7700-3065-8, Kodansha International
• Izakaya: Japanese Bar Food (Hardie Grant Publishing 2012), photographs by Chris Chen. ISBN 978-1-74270-042-7.
• Izakaya by Hideo Dekura (New Holland Publishers 2015). ISBN 978-1-74257-525-4.

External links